When I casually mentioned the Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World in our post about staying at the Residence Inn near JFK, I thought it was a throwaway line. Then two Hyatt Globalists chimed in—with conflicting answers—about whether the Hyatt has an airport shuttle. Suddenly, a simple detail turned into a mini-research project. And honestly? The fact that experienced travelers and reviewers don’t agree says it all about how unnecessarily confusing this is.
Why This Is So Hard To Pin Down
Two readers, both Globalists, left replies that didn’t match:
- “Don’t know what you mean about no shuttle to Resorts World because there is one and it runs on the hour until midnight at the Jamaica depot.”
- “There’s no shuttle service between JFK and the Hyatt unless it started in the past few months.”
Both can be true—depending on what you mean by “airport shuttle.” That’s the crux of the confusion.
First, What Is “Resorts World” And Where Is The Hyatt?
The hotel’s official name is a mouthful: Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York. For long-time Tri-State area folks, Resorts World is the casino at the old Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. The Hyatt is located at Resorts World—but the hotel and casino are separate operations. It’s roughly 3–4 miles from JFK. The name says “JFK Airport,” which implies a typical airport hotel setup. Reality: it’s a Queens casino-adjacent hotel that happens to be near JFK.
What Reviewers Say (And Why They Seem To Disagree)
This isn’t just us. Multiple reviews point out the missing “airport hotel” link:
- OMAAT: “I can’t understand why the hotel doesn’t have an airport shuttle… the hotel seemed totally deserted to me.”
- The Bulkhead Seat: Convenient to JFK, but note that there is no shuttle.
- Travel Mom Squad: “There was no shuttle from the airport, so we took an Uber… almost $30.”
- Frequent Miler: Confirms a free Resorts World shuttle from the Aqueduct (A train) stop, but after paying AirTrain/subway and dealing with the hassle, a rideshare often makes more sense—especially for two or more people.
The discrepancy comes from language: when some travelers say “shuttle,” they mean a terminal/Federal Circle hotel van. Resorts World’s shuttles are neighborhood connectors—useful, but not airport pickups.
What The Hotel Told Us Directly
I went to the source and asked via Hyatt Concierge on Twitter/X. They kicked the question to the hotel, which replied the next day:
“Currently, we do not have an airport shuttle that brings you to our hotel…”
That should answer it… But the hotel also offered options on how to get there. However, the hotel’s own directions had missing steps or were just wrong. Here are the main options (corrected):
- AirTrain → Howard Beach → A train → Resorts World shuttle (or walk)
From your terminal, take JFK AirTrain to Howard Beach, then ride the A train one stop to Aqueduct–North Conduit. From there, either walk or take the complimentary Resorts World shuttle to the hotel/casino complex. (That “one stop on the A” is the step many directions leave out.) - AirTrain → Jamaica → Jamaica Bus Terminal → Resorts World shuttle (hourly)
Take JFK AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then head to the Jamaica Bus Terminal (near the E/J/Z) for the free Resorts World shuttle, which typically runs hourly and generally until midnight.
How To Actually Get There
Option A: Rideshare/Taxi
For most people—late arrivals, luggage, families—this is often the simplest and cost-comparable to transit once you factor in multiple fares and time. Expect roughly a 10–20 minute ride, depending on traffic.
Option B: AirTrain → A Train → Aqueduct–North Conduit → Resorts World Shuttle
- From your terminal, take AirTrain JFK to Howard Beach. (AirTrain is a paid connection when exiting to the subway.)
- Transfer to the A train toward Far Rockaway.
- Get off at Aqueduct–North Conduit (from Howard Beach it’s just one stop).
- Either walk or locate the free Resorts World shuttle to the hotel/casino.
Best for solo travelers with light bags during daytime hours who don’t mind a transfer or two.
Option C: AirTrain → Jamaica → Resorts World Jamaica Bus Terminal Shuttle (Hourly)
If you’re already at Jamaica (LIRR/AirTrain/E/J/Z), the hourly Resorts World shuttle can be handy. The cadence makes timing important—missing one can add meaningful delay.
– Solo and traveling light? Transit is viable and cheapest on paper.
– Two or more people or arriving late? Rideshare usually narrows the cost gap and cuts the hassle dramatically.
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Book This Hotel
- Great fit: Hyatt loyalists, those with category 1-4 free night certificates or burning Hyatt points, casino visitors, and travelers comfortable with NYC transit patterns.
- Not ideal: Ultra-late arrivals, heavy luggage, families who prefer a classic airport-hotel terminal shuttle, or anyone who needs friction-free airport-to-hotel service.
Quick FAQs
Is there a shuttle from JFK terminals or Federal Circle to the Hyatt?
No. The hotel confirmed they do not operate an airport shuttle that picks up at terminals/Federal Circle.
So what are the “free” shuttles people mention?
Resorts World runs complimentary neighborhood shuttles: from Aqueduct–North Conduit (A train) and from the Jamaica Bus Terminal (hourly, typically up to midnight), plus an on-property shuttle around the complex. They’re not airport vans.
Can I avoid paying anything from the airport?
Not really. You’ll need the paid AirTrain (and likely a subway fare) before you can use the free Resorts World shuttles.
Is the walk from Aqueduct–North Conduit reasonable?
It’s doable, but most will prefer the shuttle when it’s running.
Bottom line—what should I expect?
Think of this as a Resorts World Queens hotel that’s near JFK, not a classic “airport hotel.” Plan your transfer accordingly.
Final Thought
This shouldn’t be hard, but the branding and shuttle wording muddy the waters. There’s no dedicated airport shuttle. There are Resorts World shuttles you can use after you’ve paid to get yourself from the airport to Jamaica or the A-train stop at Aqueduct–North Conduit. If you want true terminal pickup, book a different JFK hotel. If you’re fine with a couple of transfers—or you’re headed to the casino—this Hyatt can still make sense.
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